Archive for the ‘Knowledge Points’ Category

This whole creation is a play of Shiva, the dance of one consciousness, one seed, which has manifested into a million species in the world. The whole world moving in an auspicious rhythm of innocence and intelligence is Shiva. Shiva is the permanent and eternal source of energy, the only eternal state of Being.

Shivratri is when the Shiva tatva and Shakti become one.

There is a story related to Shivratri, about the union of Shiva and Shakti. The primordial and dynamic energy is wedded to the transcendental. Shiva is the silent witness, the chidakasha and Shakti is chitti or chidvilasa, the energy that plays and displays in the infinite space. Shiva is the formless Being; Shakti is the manifestation in the field. This is the recognition of the dual aspect of matter and energy, prakriti and purusha, the dravya and guna – substance and its qualities. Recognising the underlying non-dual nature of Brahman is Shivratri.

Shivratri is the night to celebrate the wakefulness of one universal consciousness without falling into the unconscious sleep state. It is an occasion to awaken the self from all sorts of slumber. The jagran in Shivratri is not just forcing oneself to be awake or singing bhajans aloud. It is about keeping awake and being inward and being consciously aware of the inner rest that sleep anyway brings everyday. When you surpass a certain layer of sleep, the rest in samadhi or Shiva sayujya happens.

Shiva is symbolically represented by the linga. The Divine is beyond any gender, so the Divine is called Ekalinga, or one gender. That one gender is the Self, the Atma. Beyond the body, mind and intellect, and beyond likes and dislikes, that Self is only one, it is Ekalinga.

Shiva has been associated with destruction. Transformation can only happen after destruction. Shiva is that factor of transformation.

Shiva is a very simple lord, he is innocent – Bholanath. One just needs to offer bel-patra to him. But in this simplicity is a deep message. Bel-patra offerings signify the surrender of all three aspects of ones nature – Tamas, Rajas and Sattva. You have to surrender the positives and negatives of your life to Shiva and become free. The greatest offering is yourself. To offer ones self is the key to happiness in life.

Kailasa is the legendary abode of Shiva. Kailasa means where there is celebration. So wherever there is happiness and celebration, Shiva is present. Whether in sanyasa or sansara, you cant escape Shiva. Feeling his presence all the time is the essence of Shivratri. Lord Shiva is always depicted with eyes closed with a snake around his neck. He may appear to be sleeping but this indicates his inner state which is fully awake, like a snake.

He is always painted blue in pictures. Blue signifies the vastness of the sky. The moon on his head depicts everything within him. So all the ghosts, dead, devil, everything is included in his gana. In Shivas procession all types of people are present. So also in this world, all belong to that supreme soul. Its said “Sarvam shivamayam jagat”. This whole world is Shivamaya.

Shivratri signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivratri.

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life.What you speak about, you can bring about.
If you keep saying you can’t stand your job, you might lose your job. If you keep saying you can’t stand your body, your body can become sick. If you keep saying you can’t stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating. If you keep saying you’re broke, guess what? You’ll always be broke. If you keep saying you can’t trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you. If you keep saying you can’t find a job, you will remain unemployed. If you keep saying you can’t find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thought will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs. If you keep talking about a divorce or break up in a relationship, then you might end up with it.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power-packed with faith, hope, love and action. Don’t be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and deserve.

Watch your Thoughts, they become words.
Watch your Words, they become actions.
Watch your Actions, they become habits.
Watch your Habits, they become character.
Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.

The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for.

In the search for Me, I discovered Truth.
In the search for Truth, I discovered Love.
In the search for Love, I discovered GOD.
And in God, I have found Everything.
Be Blessed

Watch how your circumstances and situations begin to change when you change the way you speak.

We have moved away from our roots. A self-centered person is more stressed than one that is engaged in community service. It is a lack of spirituality that causes a person to be stressed and shaky. Music, meditation and community service are all necessary components to live a balanced, healthy and happy life.

3. A balanced diet with green and leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, sprouts, moderate oil and chillies. Ashwaghandha, drumstick leaves and pumpkin are favourable additions to ones diet. When tired the consuming the powder of drumstick leaves or Urja tablets help one to restore vitality.

You are the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is pointing upwards and its branches grow on all sides. It is orderly. At the time of year when no tree bears anything, it has many gifts to offer. And it is green throughout the year. A Christmas tree bears the gifts and the lights not for itself. All the gifts you are carrying in your life are for others. Anyone who comes to you, you offer them your gifts.

There were lots of gifts around Sri Sri’s couch. John asked Sri Sri, “Are you going to open the gifts?” Sri Sri winked and pointed at the people and said, “I am always opening the gifts.” (Laughter)

Your life is a gift. And you have come to unwrap the gift. In the process of unwrapping, you also save the wrappers. Your whole environment, situations, circumstances and body are the wrapping papers. When we unwrap, we destroy the wrapping paper. We are in such a hurry at times that we even destroy the gifts. With patience and endurance, open your gifts and save the wrapping papers.

Contradictions In The Gita Help One To Think …Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Truth is contradictory; if it is not contradictory, then it is not truth! The Bhagavad Gita is full of contradictions. You can understand it only if you see it in totality.

At one point, Krishna tells Arjuna that action is the most important thing and without action one will be nowhere. But after that, He tells him that action is all right but knowledge is better! Then Krishna says, ‘‘You must become a yogi and drop everything around you.’’

Krishna tells Arjuna in Chapter Six that since he is confused, there is no use talking. He asks him to meditate. Finally, He says, ‘‘He is the greatest amongst yogis who keeps Me in his heart whether he meditates or not. He is the real yogi, because I am with him in whatever he is doing.’’

At one juncture, Krishna says, ‘‘Arjuna, there is nobody dear to me, nobody whom I love.’’ And then gives a whole list of qualifications for those He really loves!

In another instance, Krishna tells Arjuna to act without looking for the fruit of action. Later, He asks Arjuna to act properly, according to natural law. Then He tells him that he ought to fight if he wants to win the war. So, at this point He is bringing Arjuna’s attention to the fruit of action, but then He also tells him not to worry about the fruit of action.

Krishna was like a dear friend to Arjuna. In the Bhagavatam, except for Vidura and Udhava, nobody even thought he was enlightened; they all thought that he was just very smart. The Pandavas and the gopis knew who Krishna was and how complete He was from all angles. But many of them, including Arjuna, did not see him that way. Krishna, however, shows him that He is infinite.

Krishna tells Arjuna, ‘‘I will give you a special eye of knowledge, which I haven’t given anybody in ages. I am giving it to you now because it is time.’’ With that, He gives him a vision. For that one moment the universe appears as a manifestation of Krishna to Arjuna.

Arjuna sees all of creation, everything – the mountains and the rivers, the past, the present and the future – dissolving in Krishna. For an instant, the whole of life, the universe, all memories play out like a movie and it frightens Arjuna. Then Arjuna pleads, ‘‘Oh! Please show me your simple, natural and friendly face. I like your simple smile and I want to see my friend. I don’t want to see anything beyond. It is too much for me.’’

This is called Vishva Roopa Darshana – the vision of the universal. Thereafter, Krishna tells Arjuna about the yagyas, principles and laws of the universe. Then He talks about sanyasa and how to be centred. Arjuna tells Krishna that what he says is not easy to follow. Krishna says, ‘‘I agree… It is difficult but not impossible. With practice, dispassion and by getting to the centre again, you will succeed.’’ Krishna tried everything. Finally, it was the display of the universal vision that worked on Arjuna. When Arjuna says, ‘‘I give up,’’ Krishna says, ‘‘Think and do whatever is best for you after pondering over what I have said.” And then Arjuna says his mind is now clear. Krishna had to speak through 18 chapters to get him to that point. He could have done it at the very first chapter. But the way this knowledge flows is really beautiful.

Everything may appear to be all contradictory from all angles. But that is reality!

Q-31 : Question: Guruji, in Mahabharatha Arjuna takes his bow against his own Guru Dronacharya. Is it correct to do that? What is your opinion about it?

Guruji: Even if anyone does something wrong can be a Guru. Because he is teaching you to do the right. In this case Dronacharya was a Guru but not a Satguru. Only Sri Krishna is the Satguru. He is the only Jagatguru. The one who only teaches an art or a skill, cannot be a Guru. For example, if your headmaster who taught you in your school, encroaches on your property, will you say, its ok he was my guru. Wont you by all means see to it that you get your property back? He was only teaching you some art, or some theories. He did not teach you the Atma-gnayan( self knowledge)..

You learnt driving from someone right? Then the one who taught you driving, also becomes your Guru. Tomorrow you find him involved with some underworld connection, would you say, Oh, no its ok he is my Guru!!

There is a vast difference between the west and the east. In the west we have linear thinking. Whereas in the east every thing is round about, golegol.. Here in South India, we do not go a full circle around a Shiva temple. We go semi circle and come back (laughter)!! ! That’s why in Sanskrit they say, “Gyanam ecchya Eshwaraha, Moksham Ecchya Janardana”. Which meams You can get the knowledge by the grace of the Shiva, but you can get Moksha (liberation) only by the grace of Krishna!!

Also I tell you the Guru becomes the happiest to see the disciple combating him at the battlefield. And he would always bless the disciple to win over him. Similarly when Dronacharya saw Arjuna at the battlefield, he was happy. He was happy because he thought that finally his teachings are showing up! He feels successful as a teacher.

In the case of Dronacharya, he was tied up to his dharma. He was the appointed teacher of the princes of Hastinapura. He has eaten their food for so many long years. That’s why he was tied up with Duryodhana. Because they paid him for so many years! But seeing Arjuna he was happy. Someone worth was created by him he thought. Arjuna is in the right place he thought.

But Arjuna was sad to be against Dronacharya, Bhishma and all the others at the battlefield. He was entangled. A satguru is both your friend and your well wisher. While Drona was only a teacher to Arjuna, who taught him an art, while Krishna was his Satguru, his Jagatguru. Then to destroy the entanglement in Arjuna, Krishna had to teach the Bhagwat geeta. Thanks to the entanglement of Arjuna also (laughter)! Because of the entanglement in Arjuna’s mind, the entire Bhagwat geeta happened.

Krishna says, Oh Arjuna! All the people you see are already dead! The history is already created! You just lift your bow and shoot. You will have done no sin since I am telling you to do it.

Then Krishna says, I am the only one in your life. There is no one else in your life. Dissolve in me. There is no you and me anyways. There is no difference in you and me. If you just do as I say, you will not be responsible for any sin. I am only one!!

Even then Arjuna was not ready to do what Krishna said! Then Krishna had to show Him is Vishal Swaroopa! He showed Arjuna that He is the beginning and the end of everything. He is the star, the sky… the entire creation is in Him!

Then Arjuna was shocked. He was taken aback. Then he says, “But Krishna, I thought you are my friend. I ate with you, I sang with you, I played with you, I slept with you. I thought you are like me!

Arjuna got frightened. He said, “You better come back to your original form.. I am not able to relate to you”.

He showed both the soft and the strict side of himself to Arjuna. That’s how we say opposite values are complementary.

Q : Question: Guruji, in Mahabharatha Arjuna takes his bow against his own Guru Dronacharya. Is it correct to do that? What is your opinion about it?

Guruji: Even if anyone does something wrong can be a Guru. Because he is teaching you to do the right. In this case Dronacharya was a Guru but not a Satguru. Only Sri Krishna is the Satguru. He is the only Jagatguru. The one who only teaches an art or a skill, cannot be a Guru. For example, if your headmaster who taught you in your school, encroaches on your property, will you say, its ok he was my guru. Wont you by all means see to it that you get your property back? He was only teaching you some art, or some theories. He did not teach you the Atma-gnayan( self knowledge)..

You learnt driving from someone right? Then the one who taught you driving, also becomes your Guru. Tomorrow you find him involved with some underworld connection, would you say, Oh, no its ok he is my Guru!!

There is a vast difference between the west and the east. In the west we have linear thinking. Whereas in the east every thing is round about, golegol.. Here in South India, we do not go a full circle around a Shiva temple. We go semi circle and come back (laughter)!! ! That’s why in Sanskrit they say, “Gyanam ecchya Eshwaraha, Moksham Ecchya Janardana”. Which meams You can get the knowledge by the grace of the Shiva, but you can get Moksha (liberation) only by the grace of Krishna!!

Also I tell you the Guru becomes the happiest to see the disciple combating him at the battlefield. And he would always bless the disciple to win over him. Similarly when Dronacharya saw Arjuna at the battlefield, he was happy. He was happy because he thought that finally his teachings are showing up! He feels successful as a teacher.

In the case of Dronacharya, he was tied up to his dharma. He was the appointed teacher of the princes of Hastinapura. He has eaten their food for so many long years. That’s why he was tied up with Duryodhana. Because they paid him for so many years! But seeing Arjuna he was happy. Someone worth was created by him he thought. Arjuna is in the right place he thought.

But Arjuna was sad to be against Dronacharya, Bhishma and all the others at the battlefield. He was entangled. A satguru is both your friend and your well wisher. While Drona was only a teacher to Arjuna, who taught him an art, while Krishna was his Satguru, his Jagatguru. Then to destroy the entanglement in Arjuna, Krishna had to teach the Bhagwat geeta. Thanks to the entanglement of Arjuna also (laughter)! Because of the entanglement in Arjuna’s mind, the entire Bhagwat geeta happened.

Krishna says, Oh Arjuna! All the people you see are already dead! The history is already created! You just lift your bow and shoot. You will have done no sin since I am telling you to do it.

Then Krishna says, I am the only one in your life. There is no one else in your life. Dissolve in me. There is no you and me anyways. There is no difference in you and me. If you just do as I say, you will not be responsible for any sin. I am only one!!

Even then Arjuna was not ready to do what Krishna said! Then Krishna had to show Him is Vishal Swaroopa! He showed Arjuna that He is the beginning and the end of everything. He is the star, the sky… the entire creation is in Him!

Then Arjuna was shocked. He was taken aback. Then he says, “But Krishna, I thought you are my friend. I ate with you, I sang with you, I played with you, I slept with you. I thought you are like me!

Arjuna got frightened. He said, “You better come back to your original form.. I am not able to relate to you”.

He showed both the soft and the strict side of himself to Arjuna. That’s how we say opposite values are complementary.

It is an art to express our opinion in appreciable way. Those who possess this type of effective art of communication are unique in nature. To communicate affectionately with one and all is a skill worth possessing. Communicating without prejudice is vital for successful living.

If you come across a person, who knows more than you, be like a child and listen to him as attentively. If you face someone with less knowledge than you have, be humble and strive to make him as good as or even better than you.

While taking to a child, talk to him as if you are a child. Talk with an elderly person remembering that one day you will also become an old person. Communicate with a person of your same age group, as if you are his best friend.

This world is varied, beyond our imagination. There is always something to share, learn and teach. Become a powerful communicator, so that others will attract towards you. Improve your way of communication, which improves your life as well.

Most of us are not good listeners. When you are listening to somebody, the speaker’s very first sentence triggers some conversation with in you.

A good listener is always a good speaker and later on he will become a good leader